Thoughts From Philippians 1 - Part 1

 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons,2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil. 1:1-6

              Someone once asked me, why do doctors work until they are so old? They have so much money, why don't they retire early and enjoy it? I think it's multifactorial, but I would guess that the major reason is that their identity is wrapped up and found in being a doctor. After all, we get a degree and our name is changed from Mr. or Mrs. to Dr. A lot of people call me "Doc" instead of Jim. It is weird to go somewhere where no one knows me, like a cruise for example, and I don't get treated special. Being a doctor, especially in a small town, gives you clout and respect and that's hard to give up. At least I thought it was.

       I closed my practice in the last 4 years and have been a travelling doctor to Memphis. Back home, without a practice, I really don't feel like a doctor nor get treated like one anymore and I'm surprised to say that I don't mind at all. I'm just content in my identity found in being a saint or "holy people" or a child of God. That's my identity and it's more than enough. God began a good work in me 65 years ago and He is continuing to work on me. I look back on myself half my life ago and I thought I was a refined piece of work by the Maker, and I see what an "ignoble" piece of pottery I was. God has been working on me for 65 years and will continue until the day that I die.

     Isn't that awesome to know that God loves you so much that He doesn't give up on you but wants the best for you and wants you to succeed. We think "succeed" and we think money, prestige, power, honor, or Dr. - God thinks "succeed" and He thinks a shiny pot that He looks at and sees His reflection. That's success! I'm grateful that God has allowed me to find my identity in Him. What is your identity found in?